What’s inspiring? Let me flip that. Here’s what doesn’t work for me. It’s not pat quotes and hammy thoughts on how our souls are speaking through our hands as we laboriously type or write away. It’s not idyllic pictures of nature or photographs of babies and rainbows. It’s sure as hell not Sarah Palin. (Wha? Just go with it.)

What’s inspiring to me, and I think to many other creatives, is learning from others who have made it work. On this here blog we have a series devoted to Writers Who Matter, those famous (or at least published) writers that we read and internalize and wish and pray to someday emulate. It’s frustrating and intimidating sometimes to look at this talent on display, but looking at these masters of their craft is also pretty fucking inspiring.

Another thing that’s inspiring? Looking at the writers who live and work around us, the folks that may not have hit it big (yet) but are making a career, pursuing some typically outlandish dreams, and putting cheeseburgers and cupcakes on the table. I draw tremendous inspiration from these folks, our peers in this creative journey that we’ve embarked upon. So I’m starting another series on QRW devoted to these kickass role models.

Today, our peer of note is one Elizabeth McQuern, freelance writer, comedy producer, photographer, videographer, and all-around cool chick. Elizabeth made a choice a few years back, deciding to leave the safety and stagnancy of her life in Indiana for the unknown but beckoning creative scene in Chicago. Since then she’s been moving on up, maintaining her personal blog, building a freelance writing career, heading the recently-closed Bastion (comedy blog supreme for the Chicago scene), producing the highly-acclaimed Chicago Underground Comedy show, and generally plotting her city domination.

I met Elizabeth for a lovely lunch in one of the last nice summer days in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, and talked writing, comedy, the perils of freelancing, and the ludicrous feeling when your dreams are in striking distance. Besides learning upon playback of our recorded conversation that I increasingly sound like my mom, here’s a few excerpts and lessons learned:

On why writing is sofa king awesome:

One thing I found I really enjoyed right away was interviewing people. I love profiles: I get to talk to these cool people for magazines and Bastion, and sometimes even get paid for it? Are you kidding me?? Right now I’m working with this local university law school publication, and how could I not love this: I’m profiling this woman who gets puppy mills shut down. That’s amazing I get to do that.

On screw-ups:

There’s been situations now and in my old business where I would get a weird feeling about someone, or get this idea that it might be awkward, but I felt obligated to follow through because I needed the money. That’s the worst trouble I could get into to. We’re not talking serial killer bad, of course. But something off. Something wrong in connecting. And then not being assertive enough to act on that feeling.

On inspiration:

I really love one thing in every form of creativity. When I see someone doing something that only could be done by them, that’s truly unique coming out of them, that’s amazing to see. It’s beyond art, and it’s a transcendent thing. When someone is sharing something that is uniquely of them and couldn’t come from anyone else, that’s incredible.

On avoiding the creative crutch of bitchy competitiveness:

Any success I’ve had in comedy and freelance writing is largely because of this feeling that that won’t fly. Genuineness is so much better. This friend and I both run comedy shows that in another life could be bitchy and mean and competitive, but we’re just these girls that believe in communicating through cupcakes. We’re all here together and to help each other. It sounds kum-ba-yah, and I am a cranky bitch sometimes too, but that’s what I hope for. I’m just hoping it won’t get me ground into the dirt in California.

Want more? Follow the jump for more. And don’t forget to support Elizabeth in the following hotspots:
Bella Rossa
Chicago Underground Comedy
Gapers Block

Like this post? Well geez, with a subject like Elizabeth, how could you not?? Tell us about it in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe by RSS or email for all future writer profiles…

Want more from the conversation? Click on through to the other side…

QRW: So. Why writing?

EMcQ: I moved here when I turned 30 and decided to restart my life. Before I had a dog walking/housesitting/personal assistant business in Indiana, where I grew up, but when I turned 30 I freaked out and thought, now’s my time. Writing was such a natural, obvious thing to do. I had a lifelong interest in comedy and writing, and I didn’t know what they would manifest into, but I had to do it or I would lose my mind. I knew I had talent and skill, as well as interest, and I talked to a few friends about it, who basically said, ‘oh yeah, you could totally take care of yourself this way.’

So I decided to give it a try. I wasn’t super confident right out of gate, and I’m still not. But I was just persistent. I reached out as much as I could to folks who could be generous with their time and offer advice and suggestions.

I started with the little things. First was my personal blog, which I started before I moved. Then when I was here and taking a writing class at Second City, I was noticed by the old Apiary editor who wanted me for the Bastion. What’s crazy is it was a much bigger boost than I thought it would be. It was a totally new thing, and I didn’t initially think about it but it gave me credibility as a writer. It made me more visible and higher profile.

QRW: You got to combine the two things you were most interested in, which is pretty rare.

EMcQ: Yeah. And I was getting access to these writers and comedians I admired, getting to write about them. That’s how the Bastion started.

QRW: How did you build up your freelancing work?

While I was doing the Bastion and my blogs, I was working on freelancing too. My first paying thing was through a friend back home. We knew each other through a mutual friend, and she encouraged me to join the IABC. I did, and I met two women who are still friends, one who got me a gig for a trade publication in real estate. Plus I was introduced to the Indianapolis Star folks, who were increasingly relying on freelancers. I’ve written a lot for them over the last year and a half.

One thing I found I really enjoyed right away was interviewing people. I love profiles: I get to talk to these cool people for magazines and Bastion, and sometimes get paid for it? Are you kidding me?? Right now I’m working with this local university law school publication, and how could I not love this: I’m profiling this woman who gets puppy mills shut down. That’s amazing I get to do that.

QRW: Any rules you think you’ve broken, or otherwise rebellious activity that’s got you where you are?

EMcQ:I kind of feel like my entry was sideways, and it wouldn’t have been possible ten years ago. I feel like I got to skip a couple grades that way with blogging.

QRW: So do you have a day-to-day routine?

EMcQ: That’s the thing I would love to know from other freelancers! It’s hard to know what a reasonable expectation is of what the day should be like. I’m quick to chastise myself for blowing it even if I’m really not. I do have this German Catholic Midwestern work ethic where I have to work all the time, but it’s extremely unproductive. Stuff like this? Going to lunch with a friend on a beautiful day? You have to do this too or you’ll go nuts!

QRW: Amen. How about screw-ups? Any major ones you’ve had?

EMcQ: Not trusting my own instincts. There’s been situations now and in my old business where I would get a weird feeling about someone, or get this idea that it might be awkward, but I felt obligated because I needed the money. That’s that worst trouble I could get into to. We’re not talking serial killer bad, of course. But something off. Something wrong in connecting. And then not being assertive enough to act on that feeling.

QRW: What do you think are your greatest successes?

EMcQ: I think the best has come from a combination of really good opportunities that have been a good fit, along with the confidence to really go for it and put the time in. Spending that time and effort to make it good. Which in itself is hard to do. When I sit down with a project, the first 10 thoughts through my head are the 10 ways I’m going to screw this up. And all I want to do is run out the door. But if I take the time (this may sound esoteric and bullshitty) to feel it and work with it, it works.

QRW: Taking a different tack: what is it you HATE about writing?

EMcQ: Having the responsibility of structuring my own time. I’m sure that’s a huge issue for all of us. With my old job I could be very flexible with time, and just do things whenever. I can’t do that with this. And working from home? It’s really easy to oversleep, lounge around in PJs and think I’m being productive, even though I’m just not.

QRW: Taking naps.

EMcQ: Um hum!

QRW: What do you LOVE about writing?

EMcQ: I love getting to talk to different kinds of people. I absolutely love that. I feel like I can find something interesting in anything, as long as I ask the right questions. Just being able to pursue my own curiosity.

QRW: What do you HATE about comedy and comedy writing?

EMcQ:I don’t think I hate anything about it! Well – ok. I hate that I haven’t made any money out it yet!

QRW: What do you LOVE about comedy and comedy writing?

EMcQ: The collaboration with friends. Literally sitting down and writing down on a piece of paper an idea, the barest idea, that this character is like this, and related to the other characters this way, so now let’s shoot five things and do voiceover stuff. It’s unbelievable, and so fun seeing what happens, seeing what’s created by a group of people.

QRW: Who do you admire, in freelancing and comedy?

EMcQ: With freelancers, it’s people I know, like my friends who are freelancing. As far as other writers, I’m doing so much internet writing I haven’t been reading much outside the web. But I loved sci-fi growing up.

I really love one thing in every form of creativity. When I see someone doing something that only could be done by them, that’s truly unique coming out of them, that’s amazing to see. It’s beyond art, and it’s a transcendent thing. When someone is sharing something that is uniquely of them and couldn’t come from anyone else, that’s incredible.

QRW: Any kind of writers or kind of writing that makes you angry? Writing habits?

EMcQ: It’s discouraging to me as an aspiring creative person to see that it’s so easy for many people to be hugely successful writing crap. But then I guess there’s a need for everything! It does seem unfair that Danielle Steel is a multimillionaire.

QRW: Sidenote: I’ve been reading in your copious articles and your blog that you’re considering the big move. Are you really moving to LA?

EMcQ:Yes, eventually. There’s just no comedy industry here. My friends have moved and are telling me and my boyfriend that the time is right. So we’re really thinking about it. I’m still chicken shit about thinking about it, and it seems so presumptuous of me to say, I was walking dogs in Indiana three years ago, but I’m ready to move to LA! It sounds preposterous!

QRW: Do you have an idea of what the ideal eventual thing, the end goal will be?

EMcQ: My dream situation? Probably producing writing and directing movies. I can’t believe those words are coming out of my mouth!

QRW: I think we all have that dream situation, but it’s fascinating that in such a short amount of time, you’re getting closer to it!

EMcQ: Yeah. I think about the most fun I’ve ever had creatively, and it was shooting those Cannonball sketches. It was so ridiculous and fun and joyful, even the 6 hours I spent editing them after. I guess that’s how you know you’re meant to do something, when you can shut yourself in your room and not even stop to go to the bathroom because you’re so absorbed. Overall, I don’t know where this all will eventually lead, but it is pretty exciting.

QRW: All right, Proust questionnaire time. What’s your favorite trip?

EMcQ: I had a really great trip to Europe right after 9/11, my only trip. And I was the American everyone wanted to talk to and about the situation. It was the first and so far only major trip, and it was terrific.

QRW: What’s your favorite kind of music or artist?

EMcQ: It sounds so pretentious to speak in generalities, but here goes. I like music that’s a true expression of someone’s experience. There’s this song on my IPod, “Rubberband Girl” by Kate Bush. She’s one of those quirky folks that in another existence might be in insane asylum, but in this life she’s this lovely creative musician. That might be the only Kate Bush song I know, but it’s goofy and crazy and fun and feels true.

QRW: Do you have favorite words?

EMcQ: I just love the sound of words and the playfulness of words. Like how George Carlin would incorporate words into his acts.

QRW: Do you have words you hate?

EMcQ:Hateful words.

QRW: Do you have an indulgence?

EMcQ:Sleeping in, at this point! Or sleeping period. It’s such an old person thing to say, but it’s true. Besides the obvious of beer and chocolate, of course.

QRW: What do you detest in people, and what do you value?

EMcQ: I love most or feel affectionate the most towards those that are genuinely interested in others and want to see others succeed. The flip side of that is those that are petty and competitive and small. I know it’s out of their fear, and negative feelings towards themselves. But when the way you choose to get ahead is to step on other people? No way.

Any success I’ve had in comedy and freelance writing is largely because of this feeling that that won’t fly. Genuineness is so much better. This friend and I both run comedy shows that in another life could be bitchy and mean and competitive, but we’re just these girls that believe in communicating through cupcakes. We’re all here together and to help each other. It sounds kum-ba-yah, and I am a cranky bitch sometimes too, but that’s what I hope for. I’m just hoping it won’t get me ground into the dirt in California.

A big thanks to Elizabeth McQuern for letting me pick her brain, and for offering a little bit of inspiration for us working writers!